Local MP Sheryll Murray today welcomed that £60 million would be made available as part of a Rural Economy Grant Scheme from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
This is a new scheme whereby rural businesses can apply for individual grants which could range from £25,000 to more than £1m each. The objective is to support the businesses in increasing competitiveness and profits. Successful applicants will receive up to 40% of the cost of projects and the five areas it is anticipated the scheme will support will be in farm competitiveness; agri-food; tourism; forestry and micro enterprises such as digital media technology and small scale, high value manufacturing.
In a statement Sheryll said, “These grants are an excellent opportunity for local people to invest in new projects stimulating the rural economy in South East Cornwall. I encourage all those with an entrepreneurial idea to look at these grants as they may well be the answer.”
This announcement is part of a broader £165m package we are delivering to unlock the economic potential of our rural areas. It is further proof of how this Government is investing in our rural economy, supporting our countryside and driving growth in rural businesses. It also demonstrates this Government’s appreciation that we need to foster a growing and robust rural economy - for the benefit of both rural communities and the economy more widely. This contrasts sharply with the approach of the previous Government.
Applications for grants are now being accepted and further information is available at:
http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/rural-economy-grant
Ends
Contact: Sheryll Murray MP’s office on 01579 344428